Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Hayward, CA (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Hayward

California
200

Amarillo is 66% cheaper than Hayward.

$1,049/mo ↓ 56%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 125%
$62,469/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↑ 82%
$186,800 ↓ 77%
Home Value
$820,700 ↑ 339%
$1,074/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ↑ 125%
200,945
Population
159,201

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,311/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $15,732/year.

Median household income is $51,306/year higher in Hayward. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Hayward — common questions

Is Amarillo or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Hayward?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $1,311/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Hayward?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $51,306/year higher in Hayward.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Hayward details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Amarillo and Hayward

Amarillo vs. Oxnard Amarillo vs. Tallahassee Amarillo vs. Augusta Amarillo vs. Birmingham Amarillo vs. McKinney Amarillo vs. Sunrise Manor Hayward vs. Salinas Hayward vs. Corona Hayward vs. Palmdale Hayward vs. Paterson Hayward vs. Springfield Hayward vs. Murfreesboro